Egyptians are generally known to practice detailed rituals at the time of burial. Among the various items used for performing rituals, the Canopic jar chests found a significant place. Many organs were taken off the corpse, before it was mummified. These organs were kept in Canopic jars, which were again kept in a Canopic chest. This chest was then kept near the tomb in a sacred area known as the Canopic shrine.
In ancient days, the Egyptians believed that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to come back to the body. Therefore, preserving the different organs was supposed to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs had to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
Canopic chests were first used in the second Dynasty period. As years passed by, these Canopic jar chests were altered many times to portray different designs. They were used in ritualism till the arrival of the Ptolemaic age.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates back to the fourth Dynasty and was found at Giza in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. This was during the time period of the reign of Menkaure. Instances of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
Among the oldest Canopic jars, boxes made from wood were used to put the internal organs, and were fastened securely. Jars made of stone or potteries were also utilized in some burials. They were covered either with flattened or dome-like lids. The chests were made out of soft stone. However, in some cases, they were made by shaping out the floor of the tomb or even the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Around the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to produce these Canopic jar chests.
Through the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. At first these jars were made of stone and covered with flat lids. These were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this, the Egyptians tried numerous other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs that were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were connected to each of the organs.
Over the centuries, modifications in making the Canopic jars were visualized in various ways. A number of the ideas were practically put to work, to make a variety of Canopic jars. In a number of jars, the lids were made out of a sculpture of jackal heads. These jackal heads were symbolic of the four sons of Horus. Each of the organs was ascribed to one of the sons of Hours. They were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
In ancient days, the Egyptians believed that it was practical for the dead if they were willing, to come back to the body. Therefore, preserving the different organs was supposed to be essential. Mummification involved a detailed procedure, where in the organs had to be removed and kept in the Canopic jars and then in the Canopic chest. It took many days for completion.
Canopic chests were first used in the second Dynasty period. As years passed by, these Canopic jar chests were altered many times to portray different designs. They were used in ritualism till the arrival of the Ptolemaic age.
The earliest proven evidence of Canopic burials dates back to the fourth Dynasty and was found at Giza in the tomb of Queen Meresankh III. This was during the time period of the reign of Menkaure. Instances of Canopic burials have also been found from the tombs that were made during the reign of Sneferu.
Among the oldest Canopic jars, boxes made from wood were used to put the internal organs, and were fastened securely. Jars made of stone or potteries were also utilized in some burials. They were covered either with flattened or dome-like lids. The chests were made out of soft stone. However, in some cases, they were made by shaping out the floor of the tomb or even the wall of the tomb by cutting through them.
Around the sixth Dynasty, granite was utilized to make the Canopic jar chests. Around the eighteenth century, cartonnage, wood, limestone, calcite and numerous other materials were used to produce these Canopic jar chests.
Through the years, the Canopic jars wherein the organs of the corpse were kept were also modified. At first these jars were made of stone and covered with flat lids. These were then modified to have dome-shaped lids.
Following this, the Egyptians tried numerous other materials to make the Canopic jars. The four main organs that were kept in these jars were the stomach, the intestines, the liver and the lungs. Different deities were connected to each of the organs.
Over the centuries, modifications in making the Canopic jars were visualized in various ways. A number of the ideas were practically put to work, to make a variety of Canopic jars. In a number of jars, the lids were made out of a sculpture of jackal heads. These jackal heads were symbolic of the four sons of Horus. Each of the organs was ascribed to one of the sons of Hours. They were further guarded by some other stronger Egyptian deity.
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